911

Kristen Breitweiser—a 9/11 widow turned activist—and John Kiriakou—the CIA whistleblower who exposed the government’s secret torture program- reveal how the 9/11 Commission helped Bush win reelection, expanded government spying, and gave the CIA cover for brutal torture—all while officials cashed in and the public paid the price. We’ve centralized all the evidence, key players, and timeline into this Watch Companion: www.tuckercarlson.com/the-911-files-watch-companion-ep-5. In the aftermath of 9/11, the attacks created a divide between “winners” and “losers.” While civilians, service members, and the global population suffered, certain political and intelligence figures exploited the crisis for career advancement, personal gain, and institutional power. The episode highlights how U.S. policies post-9/11 reshaped national security, civil liberties, and global politics for the worse, and allowed those whose failures were responsible for 9/11 to gain in power, authority, and wealth. Part five of our series, The 9/11 Files: From Tragedy to Tyranny, outlines it all. Key Figures to Reference Key figure image for Kristen Breitweiser Kristen Breitweiser 9/11 widow and activist (2001-present). A prominent critic of the 9/11 Commission, Breitweiser emphasized that the attacks were preventable with the information the government already had. Key figure image for John Kiriakou John Kiriakou Former CIA counterintelligence officer (1990-2004), chief of counterterrorism operations (2001-2002). Kiriakou blew the whistle on the CIA’s torture program in an interview with ABC News. Despite being initially cleared of any wrongdoing, Kiriakou was later prosecuted by the Obama administration, at the behest of future Russiagate hoaxer John Brennan, for blowing the whistle on the use of torture after 9/11. Key figure image for Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu Longest serving Prime Minister of Israel (1996-1999, 2009-2021, 2022-Present). Netanyahu commented that the attack was “very good” the day after 9/11, as he believed that the attack would lead to greater U.S. sympathy for Israel. Netanyahu advocated for regime change in Iraq ahead of the Iraq War, and more recently took credit for the overthrow of Syria’s secular president, Bashar al-Assad, and the rise to power in Syria of a former leader of Al Qaeda, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, in 2024. Netanyahu currently favors U.S. action against Iran. Key figure image for Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice National Security Advisor (2001–2005). Despite her failure to prevent the attack, Rice was later rewarded by the Bush administration and elevated to the position of Secretary of State in 2006. Upon leaving Washington, she secured an elite job in academia. Key figure image for George Tenet George Tenet Former CIA Director (1996-2004). Despite presiding over the worst intelligence failure in U.S. history, Tenet received additional authority and resources post-9/11. Tenet was also one of the chief architects of the lies about WMDs that led to the Iraq War. Key figure image for John Brennan John Brennan The CIA’s Riyadh station chief (1996-2001), chief of staff to CIA Director George Tenet (2001-2005), and CIA Director under President Obama (2009-2013). Brennan was involved in many of the CIA’s operational failures concerning Al Qaeda. As CIA Director under Obama, he engaged in retaliation against whistleblowers and orchestrated the Russiagate hoax. Key figure image for Cofer Black Cofer Black Director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center (1999-2002). He kept his job despite failing to prevent 9/11 and played a major role in the development of the CIA’s torture program. He later became a defense contractor and was on the board of Burisma with Hunter Biden. Key figure image for Paul Wolfowitz Paul Wolfowitz Deputy Secretary of Defense (2001-2005). A prominent neoconservative and an early advocate of regime change in Iraq, Wolfowitz was later named the World Bank president before resigning in disgrace due to having used his position to promote his girlfriend, another World Bank employee. Key figure image for Philip Zelikow Philip Zelikow Executive Director of the 9/11 Commission (2003-2004). A close associate of Condoleezza Rice, he ensured the White House had direct control over the commission’s findings. He avoided accountability for the failures of the commission and later served in government advisory roles. Timeline of Events Sep 11, 2001 9/11 Attacks 2,977 civilians are killed in the attacks. In the aftermath of the attacks, the Bush administration soars in popularity and begins the “Global War on Terror.” Late 2001 – Early 2002 Guantanamo Bay Prison Opened; Secret Black Sites Established by the CIA The government opens a prison in the U.S. Naval base in Cuba to hold those captured in the new Global War on Terror, as well as new CIA “black sites” in various countries to interrogate and torture prisoners. Jan 2002 Kiriakou Appointed CIA Counterterrorism Chief in Pakistan The CIA begins to conduct raids of terrorist safehouses in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Due to a lack of space to hold detainees, the government sends the detainees to Guantanamo Bay. 2002 DOJ “Torture Memo” Issued The Department of Justice promulgates a memorandum enabling the use of torture of detainees captured in the Global War on Terror. March 2003 U.S. Invades Iraq Based on false claims that Iraq possessed “Weapons of Mass Destruction,” the Bush administration invades Iraq. 2005 Condoleezza Rice becomes Secretary of State Despite having failed to protect the security of the nation as National Security Advisor, with 9/11 occurring on her watch, Rice receives a promotion from the Bush administration, becoming Secretary of State. 2004 George Tenet retires from the CIA Despite having neglected warnings of Al Qaeda before 9/11, CIA Director George Tenet retires peacefully. Rather than facing criticism or investigation for his role in the tragedy, he receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as numerous corporate and academic positions. Dec 10, 2007 John Kiriakou blows whistle on CIA torture Former CIA agent John Kiriakou tells ABC News about the CIA’s torture program. He is initially cleared in an investigation. 2009–2015 John Brennan Runs the CIA Under Obama The budget and influence of the CIA increases, as the agency becomes involved in more scandals, such as spying on the staffers of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Brennan also convinces the DOJ to charge Kiriakou with espionage for exposing the CIA’s torture program. Kiriakou is denied whistleblower protection and sentenced to 30 months in prison. 2001–Present Long-Term Aftermath The U.S. government spends ~$7 trillion on the wars in the Middle East, leading to ~5M civilian deaths abroad and thousands of U.S. casualties. The intelligence community & political establishment thrives as the Middle East and Middle America falls apart. Sources Cited Government Accountability Office Report on the FBI - Report from the government detailing the changes made to the FBI following the 9/11 attacks, including a reduction in the FBI’s crime-fighting and anti-drug abilities, and a shift towards “counterterrorism” and counterintelligence work. Report on the prosecution of John Kiriakou by the government - This report, by the Government Accountability Project, an NGO dedicated to the protection of whistleblowers, details the prosecution of former CIA agent and whistleblower John Kiriakou by the Obama administration. Tucker Interview with John Kiriakou - Tucker Carlson interviewed former CIA agent and whistleblower John Kiriakou about the retaliation against him by the government in response to his disclosure of the CIA’s torture program. Tucker Carlson Network (Mirror) * FAIR USE is Assumed and in Favor of Education

From the mysterious collapse of Tower 7 to reports of explosive residue in the rubble, the official 9/11 story leaves more questions than answers. Why did some reporters announce attacks before they happened? How did foreign governments know more than U.S. intelligence? And who profited from airline stock trades right before the attacks? We uncover the strange facts, hidden intelligence, and unanswered questions that demand a new investigation into 9/11. We’ve centralized all the evidence, key players, and timeline into this Watch Companion: www.tuckercarlson.com/the-911-files-watch-companion-ep-4. Aspects of the 9/11 attacks, such as foreign foreknowledge of the attacks and irregularities surrounding the collapse of WTC 7, have been neglected in official discussions of the attack. This neglect has allowed many conspiracy theories to gain traction. Episode 4 examines these subjects rationally, eschewing both conspiracy theories and official narratives to analyze what we truly know about them. Part four of our series, The 9/11 Files: From Cover-up to Conspiracy, outlines it all. Key Figures to Reference Key figure image for Michael Scheuer Michael Scheuer CIA officer, chief of the Bin Laden Unit (Alec Station, 1995–1999). In this episode, Scheuer discusses how the National Security Agency would intercept calls from Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and refuse to share the intelligence with his unit, while sharing the information with foreign countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. Key figure image for Barry Jennings Barry Jennings Deputy Director of the Emergency Services Department for NYC at the time of 9/11 and an eyewitness to the collapse of WTC 7. Jennings reported that he heard explosions during the collapse of the building. Key figure image for Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin Netanyahu Longest serving Prime Minister of Israel (1996-1999, 2009-2021, 2022-Present). Netanyahu commented that the attack was “very good” the day after 9/11, as he believed that the attack would lead to greater U.S. sympathy for Israel. Netanyahu advocated for regime change in Iraq ahead of the Iraq War, and more recently took credit for the overthrow of Syria’s secular president, Bashar al-Assad, and the rise to power in Syria of a former leader of Al Qaeda, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, in 2024. Netanyahu currently favors U.S. action against Iran. Key figure image for FEMA FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA conducted a study on the WTC 7 collapse, putting forward the theory that it was caused by fire. The report did acknowledge that there is “little, if any, record of fire-induced collapse of large fire-protected steel buildings.” Key figure image for NIST NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology. This investigative agency wrote its own report on the WTC 7 collapse and attributed it to heat caused by a fire in the building. Key figure image for UAF Study UAF Study Study conducted by Ph.D. structural engineers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks into the collapse of WTC 7; established that an office fire could not have caused the collapse. Timeline of Events Sept 6–10, 2001 Surge in “put options” against airlines In the days leading up to September 11th, many “put options,” which enable one to bet against a company in the stock market, were made against the airlines whose planes would be hijacked on 9/11. This indicates possible foreknowledge of attacks; while the FBI labels these trades as “innocuous,” they raise questions about insider activity. Sept 11, 2001, 8:46 am Plane Hits North Tower American Airlines Flight 11 hits the North Tower, also known as WTC 1, between floors 93 and 99. Sept 11, 2001, 9:03 am Plane Hits South Tower The second of the Twin Towers, WTC 2, is hit by United Airlines Flight 175, between floors 77 and 85. Sept 11, 2001, 9:59 am South Tower Collapses The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses. Sept 11, 2001,10:28 am The North Tower Collapses Debris from the collapse of the building damaged the surrounding buildings, including WTC 7, a building in the World Trade Center complex that was not adjacent to the Twin Towers. Sept 11, 2001, 5:20 pm Collapse of WTC 7 WTC 7 collapses, and eyewitnesses, including Barry Jennings, report hearing explosions and witnessing a symmetrical collapse of the building, contradicting the NIST’s later narrative of a progressive collapse. Sept 11, 2001 Arrest of Israeli Nationals Celebrating Attacks Israeli nationals are witnessed filming the attacks and appearing to celebrate. They are later detained by the FBI and deported after several months. FBI investigations reveal multiple passports and a large amount of cash, raising the question of whether foreign intelligence services had foreknowledge of the attacks. Sept 12, 2001 Media Inquiries About Rubble The public notices that debris is immediately shipped away from the site, including overseas, which limits the forensic investigation into the collapse of the towers. Sept 12, 2001 Benjamin Netanyahu Comments Current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially replies “It’s very good” when asked about the impact of 9/11 on U.S.-Israeli relations, and clarified that he believes it will create greater U.S. sympathy for Israel. 2009 Analysis of Dust and Debris Samples Scientific testing finds “thermitic material,” suggesting explosives were present in WTC debris. 2020 University of Alaska Fairbanks Study A team of Ph.D. structural engineers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks completes a study shedding doubt on the scientific possibility of the official narrative of the collapse of WTC 7. Sources Cited FEMA Report on the collapse of WTC 7 - The official FEMA report on the collapse of WTC 7, which admits the unusual circumstances of the collapse, stating that “prior to September 11, 2001, there was little, if any, record of fire-induced collapse of large fire-protected steel buildings.” The report also lists the tenants, including the offices of the CIA, the Department of Defense, the Office of Emergency Management, and the New York branch of the Secret Service. New York Times article on disposal of steel - An article from 2002, which notes that an unknown number of steel columns from the Twin Towers had been taken away to mills as far as Asia without any forensic study being conducted, and that the steel examined by volunteers in a New Jersey scrapyard showed signs of melting, despite no fire in any of buildings having been believed to have been hot enough to melt steel outright. NIST Report on the collapse of WTC 7 - The official report of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which put forward the theory that WTC 7 collapsed due to the thermal expansion of steel beams, caused by a fire in the office, followed by a progressive collapse of the building. However, this theory is contradicted by video evidence and by the temperatures at which an office fire would have heated the interior of the building. UAF Report on the collapse of WTC 7 - A report published in 2020, by a team of Ph.D. structural engineers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which determined that an office fire could not have caused enough heat to cause WTC 7 to collapse, and evidence points to the near-simultaneous collapse of the columns in the building. Active Thermitic Material Discovered in Dust from the 9/11 World Trade Center Catastrophe - An academic paper published in 2009 about the presence of materials associated with explosives in dust from 9/11. The 9/11 Commission Report - The government’s official account of the causes of 9/11, which admits that suspicious put options were made against American Airlines and United Airlines ahead of 9/11. The report notes that a “single U.S.-based institutional investor” made 95% of the puts against United Airlines. CBS News Report into French Foreknowledge of 9/11 - A report which indicates that French intelligence knew of a hijacking plot targeting an American airliner as early as January of 2001, and notified the CIA of this. New York Times report on the responses of Israeli leaders to 9/11 - This report, published the day after the 9/11 attacks, asked both Israeli and Palestinian leaders about the terror attack. Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Israeli Prime Minister, initially responded, “It’s very good,” when asked about the impact of 9/11 on U.S.-Israeli relations. FBI Documents on the “Dancing Israelis” - An FBI Report looking into the Israeli nationals caught close to the attack who were filming and appearing to celebrate it. The arrested Israelis were carrying box cutters, multiple passports, thousands of dollars in cash, and photos of themselves smiling with the Twin Towers burning in the background. The FBI documents note that they were likely involved in “foreign counter-intelligence.” Memorandum to the 9/11 Commission on Israeli Surveillance of the Future Hijackers - A memorandum written to the 9/11 Commission by international corporate lawyer Gerald Shea detailing the surveillance of the future hijackers by Israeli intelligence in the United States. Forward report of Israeli Espionage Prior to 9/11 - An article in Forward, an American-Jewish publication, confirms surveillance of both the 9/11 attacks and of the hijackers in the lead-up to the attacks by Israeli intelligence. Tucker Carlson Network (Mirror) * FAIR USE is Assumed and in Favor of Education

Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit, reveals how the Bush and Clinton administrations repeatedly failed to act on Al-Qaeda. Despite multiple clear warnings, they slashed counterterrorism funding and called off numerous chances to take out Bin Laden—decisions that led directly to 9/11. We’ve centralized all the evidence, key players, and timeline into this Watch Companion: www.tuckercarlson.com/the-911-files-watch-companion-ep-3 The Clinton and Bush administrations repeatedly ignored intelligence warnings of Al Qaeda in the 1990s that could have prevented the September 11th attacks, even after the bombings of American embassies in East Africa in 1998 and the attack on the USS Cole in 2000. Furthermore, plans to kill or capture Osama bin Laden were quashed within the CIA. Future Russiagate hoaxer John Brennan, then the CIA station chief for Riyadh, mysteriously refused to share detailed information about Bin Laden with Alec Station, the unit responsible for monitoring Al Qaeda. If, in the lead-up to 9/11, NORAD and the National Reconnaissance Office suspected that a hijacked airliner could be used in a terror attack, then how could the 9/11 Commission conclude the attack was simply a “failure of imagination?” Part three of our series, The 9/11 Files: They Could Have Stopped It, outlines it all. Key Figures to Reference Key figure image for Michael Scheuer Michael Scheuer CIA officer, chief of the Bin Laden Unit (Alec Station, 1995–1999). As the key witness in episode three, he provides firsthand insight into the multiple missed opportunities to kill or capture Bin Laden. Key figure image for George Tenet George Tenet CIA Director (1997–2004); implemented “The Plan” to counter Al Qaeda. Key figure image for Cofer Black Cofer Black Director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center (1999–2002). Elevated in late 1999 to oversee U.S. counterterrorism operations, but his team’s warnings about Al Qaeda’s imminent threat were ignored at the highest levels. Key figure image for Sandy Berger Sandy Berger National Security Advisor under Bill Clinton (1997–2001). Briefed the incoming Bush administration on Al Qaeda threats but failed to convey their urgency; later convicted for the unauthorized removal of classified material from the National Archives. Key figure image for Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice National Security Advisor (2001-2005). Received briefings on Al Qaeda but ignored the repeated warnings. Key figure image for Philip Zelikow Philip Zelikow Executive director of the 9/11 Commission (2002-2004). Before 9/11, Zelikow attended briefings warning of Al Qaeda. Close associate of Condoleezza Rice. Key figure image for John Brennan John Brennan CIA liaison in Saudi Arabia (1996–1999). Reportedly withheld some intelligence on Bin Laden; later, Obama’s CIA Director and the architect of Russiagate. Key figure image for Richard Clarke Richard Clarke Head of the Counterterrorism Security Group (1998–2003). Briefed the Bush administration on the urgent threat posed by Al Qaeda in early 2001, but was sidelined, with his counterterrorism priorities dismissed in favor of other agendas. Key figure image for Paul Wolfowitz Paul Wolfowitz Deputy Secretary of Defense (2001-2005); had earlier pushed for regime change in Iraq. Questioned the threat posed by Al Qaeda before 9/11, viewed the USS Cole attack as “stale” at the start of the Bush administration. Key figure image for Thomas Pickard Thomas Pickard Acting FBI Director (2001). Pressed for more counterterrorism funding but was overruled by Attorney General Ashcroft, limiting the FBI’s ability to pursue Al Qaeda threats. Key figure image for John Ashcroft John Ashcroft Attorney General (2001-2005). Rejected or restricted counterterrorism funding requests and intelligence initiatives targeting Al Qaeda in the months before 9/11, deprioritizing the threat. Key figure image for FAA FAA Federal Aviation Administration. Issued security circulars in 2001, warning airlines of hijacking risks. Key figure image for NORAD & NRO NORAD & NRO North American Aerospace Defense Command, National Reconnaissance Office. Government entities dedicated to addressing airborne threats to the United States. Both conducted exercises simulating hijacked planes crashing into U.S. buildings before 9/11. Timeline of Events Feb 26, 1993 World Trade Center Bombing Ramzi Yousef bombs WTC, signaling early Al Qaeda intent against U.S. targets. 1996 The CIA Creates Alec Station for Monitoring Bin Laden The CIA tracks Bin Laden and Al Qaeda operatives and creates detailed plans to capture or kill Bin Laden. Aug 23, 1996 Bin Laden Declares War on U.S. Bin Laden publicly announces that he is at war with America, formalizing the threat posed by Al Qaeda. 1997–1998 CIA Rehearsals for Bin Laden Capture Operations to capture or kill Bin Laden are rehearsed in Afghanistan and the U.S. The Clinton administration suspended the operation in late May 1998. Aug 7, 1998 U.S. Embassy Bombings in Kenya & Tanzania Al Qaeda kills over 200 people in the bombings of American embassies in East Africa. In response, Clinton orders limited missile strikes into Afghanistan and Sudan, which prove ineffective and hit a pharmaceutical factory that U.S. intelligence had mistakenly believed to be producing chemical weapons. Dec 1999 Millennium Bomber Plot (LAX Bombing) Border Patrol seizes explosives at the U.S.-Canada border that were to be used to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport. The event demonstrates the domestic threat posed by Al Qaeda. Oct 12, 2000 USS Cole Attack Al Qaeda kills 17 U.S. servicemen in an attack on a U.S. destroyer in Yemen; the Clinton administration pursues no immediate retaliation, and the Bush administration views the attack as “stale” when it takes office. May–July 2001 Escalating Intelligence Warnings Numerous CIA and FBI reports indicate imminent Al Qaeda attacks inside the U.S.; warnings reach the Bush administration, but are not acted upon and are ignored by figures such as Wolfowitz and Ashcroft. Aug 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Brief George Bush receives a warning in his Presidential Daily Brief stating “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.” No action is taken in response. Sep 10, 2001 Denial of Counterterrorism Funding John Ashcroft rejects the FBI's request for additional resources, leaving the division underprepared. Sep 11, 2001 9/11 Attacks Al Qaeda executes coordinated attacks on the WTC & the Pentagon, killing 2,977 people. The government’s failure to act against Al Qaeda or heed various warnings culminated in tragedy. Sources Cited August 6th, 2001, Presidential Daily Brief - Declassified intelligence document given to President George W. Bush in the summer of 2001, warning him that Osama Bin Laden was determined to attack the United States. The 9/11 Commission Report - The government’s official account of the causes of 9/11. In it, investigators admit that Bin Laden had been mentioned in the Presidential Daily Brief over 40 times before 9/11, and then-CIA Director George Tenet commented that "the system was blinking red" by the summer of 2001. Also admits that leading members of the administration, such as National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, and Attorney General John Ashcroft, downplayed and ignored the threat from Al Qaeda. NORAD exercise had a jet crashing into a building - An article detailing a NORAD training scenario in which the agency prepared for a hijacked airliner crashing into a building as part of a terrorist attack. 9/11 crash simulation stopped when reality hit - Article detailing how the National Reconnaissance Office was scheduled to run a simulation of a plane crashing into a building on September 11th. The attacks obviously rendered the simulation moot. Tucker Carlson Network (Mirror) * FAIR USE is Assumed and in Favor of Education